Owners of property that backs up to the Shallotte River on the north side say they are pleased with the town’s decision not to plan a riverwalk on their property.

Greg Rupp, who lives and owns a dental practice on Main Street, said this week he is encouraged by the town’s decision to change the direction of the boardwalk, the first phase of which would be built if the town receives a $300,000 grant from the state Division of Coastal Management (DCM).

CALABASH—The future of the Calabash Fire Department is getting closer scrutiny, with a joint town meeting scheduled Friday.

“Not-for-profits are not surviving,” Calabash Commissioner Cecelia Herman said at town commissioners’ monthly meeting Tuesday night, noting the possibility of “municipalization” of the fire department will be discussed.

The joint meeting with Carolina Shores commissioners is slated for 9 a.m. this Friday, May 15, at the Calabash Fire Department on Persimmon Road.

SUNSET BEACH—A resident’s quest to use a vehicle on the beach for research has failed to garner the approval of Sunset Beach Town Council.

At their May 4 meeting, council members voted to deny the proposed amendment requested by Jo O’Keefe of Carolina Shores.

O’Keefe sought permission from the town to use a vehicle on the strand because she is physically handicapped and does research from “institutes all over the world,” Sunset Beach Mayor Ronald Klein noted at council’s April meeting.

Brunswick County Commissioner Charles Warren wants to keep people in their homes.

Last week, Warren announced he wanted the county to pursue stimulus money aimed at foreclosure assistance programs—a move he says helps homeowners and the county.

“Taxes are the No. 1 issue in the county. But the idea is we need taxes to run the county,” Warren said. “It would also provide resources to the homeowners so they can pay their taxes and stay in their homes, which would benefit the county.”

CAROLINA SHORES—A full-house crowd turned out for a 45-minute public hearing Monday regarding a proposal to change the town’s mayor-council form of government to a council-manager form.

About a dozen residents brought comments and questions, several asking about and voicing support for Mayor Stephen Selby, who is out of town and did not attend the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Jack Csernecky presided over the meeting in Selby’s absence.

The N.C. Senate has passed a bill prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants, eliminating several “loopholes” in the bill passed by the House. However, the proposed legislation does not ban smoking in all workplaces.

On Monday, the Senate passed the “Prohibit Smoking in Certain Public Places” bill to ban smoking in eating establishments. The bill originally proposed would have called for a ban on smoking in all public places, with the exception of certain tobacco shops.

CALABASH—Calabash Volunteer Emergency Medical Services Chief J.P. Knott has been placed on involuntary leave pending an investigation into financial discrepancies within the department.

Calabash EMS board president Ray Little said the action came at a specially called May 4 board meeting. The next morning, Little alerted the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, which is conducting an investigation, and Randy Thompson, director of Brunswick County Emergency Services.